US2452786A

US2452786A - Cathode structure

Info

Publication number: US2452786A
Application number: US648544A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry T O'neill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-02-18
Filing date: 1946-02-18
Publication date: 1948-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 1965-11-02

Description

} Nov.2,1948. HMWLL 2,452,786

CATHODE STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 18, 1946 //v yew ran.

HARRY T. O'ENEILL ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 2, 1948 CATHODE STRUCTURE Harry '1. ONeill, Taunton, Mass, assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of War Application February 18, 1946, Serial No. 648,544

2 Claims.

This invention relates'to electronic devices, and, more particularly to an electronic Vacuum tube of the resnatron type for generating ultra-high frequency power.

Because of the high power output of the resnatron type tube, and the high temperatures developed within the device and between the electrodes thereof, fluid cooling means are customarily associated with the device, particularly with the cathode unit, with the screen or accel crating grid, and with the anode. It is common practice to incorporate a flexible, generally cylindrical, bellows in the cooling arrangement for the cathode unit. the bellows being of a metallic material, and soldered at a lower open end portion to a suitable conforming-shaped portion of the cathode unit, for example, an upper ring-like metallic portion thereof on which one end of the cathode filaments are terminated. Failure of the soldered seal tween the bel ows and the oathode unit results in the destruction of the vacuum within the tube through leakage of the cooling fluid. During the operation of the resnatron, a large amount of heat must be carried through the cathode portion to which the bellows is connected, and to the cooling fluid. When a recirculating water system is used for cooling. the water may run hot enough to allow the cathode ring-l ke up er portion to reach the melting point of the so der in the region where the bellows is attached, thus loosenin it and filling the vacuum system of the tube with water.

An object of the invention is to improve the structure of a resnatron to minimize the possibility of failure of the vacuum therein because of leake ge of cooling fluid.

A feature of the invention com rises securing the referred-to bellows to the cathode unit of a resnatron, with a clearance s ace provided between a portion of the bellows and the cathode unit to increase the heat radiating area of the cathode unit.

A more complete understanding of the invention will be obtained from the deta led de crin tion that follows, taken in conjunction with the showings of the appended drawing. wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the oathode unit of a resnatron incorporating this invention; and

Fig. 2 in a sectional view of the device of Fig. 1 taken along the line 22 thereof.

With reference to the drawing, there is shown a cathode unit ll? of a resnatron, including a cathode comprising a plurality of cathode filamerit wires I 2, spaced from each other but arranged to form a generally cylindrical, cage-like structure having a pair of metallic members or rings l4, H5 at their upper and lower ends to which the ends of the individual wires l2 may be $01- dered. The members l4, it have central passages i8, 29, respectively, for suitable conduits or pipes (not shown) for cooling fluid, for example, water, as already well known in the art. A generally cylindrical, flexible bellows or sylphon 22 that may form a part of the cooling means for the resnatron has a lower portion 24 that extends into the passage l8 and is fastened to the passageway wall, for example, with solder. The upper portion 26 of the ring I4 is recessed or cut away to provide an annular recess or space 28 between the bellows portion 24 and the ring Hi. The provision of the recess 28 adds the heat radiating surface of the unit. The cooling fluid that flows inside the ring and the bellows reduces the temperature of the solder seal which the bellows forms with the ring I4. The possibility that the vacuum of the resnatron tube will be disturbed as a result of leakage of cooling fluid through the upper cathode ringbellows seal is markedly minimized.

Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to a specific configuration, obviously it is not limited thereto, but is to be considered of a scope within the purview of the prior art and the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic device comprising a cathode unit including a plurality of filament wires spaced from one another and mounted in a generally cylin rical configuration, vertically spaced centrally-apertured metallic cooling members to which the upper and lower ends of said wires are respectively secured and a bellows having and end portion extending into the central aperture of one of the upper said metallic members and secured to the aperture thereof, said last-mentioned metallic member providing an annular space surrounding said end portion, said bellows being open to receive circulating water passing through the central apertures of said metallic members.

2. An electronic device comprising a cathode unit including a plurality of filament wires, a centrally-apertured metallic member providing a support for the upper end of said filament wires, and a bellows forming a portion of a cooling system for the cathode unit, said bellows having an end portion extending into the aperture of said metallic member and secured thereto, said member being counter-sunk around said end portion to provide an annular space therearound,

3 bellow being open to receive circulating water passing through the central apertures of said metallic members.

HARRY T. ONEILL.

CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,452,786 November 2, 1948 I HARRYIT. ONEILL It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 2, line 38, for the words having and read having an; line 40, strike out the upper and insert the same after aperture of in line 39 line 49, for end read ends; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of January, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant C'ommz'ssz'oner of Patents.